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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- email.edwardremittance@gmail.com (Gmail/GoogleMail; can be used from anywhere worldwide)
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Edward Adunga" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <edwardremittance@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2016 07:34:54 +0100
Subject: hello dear are you alive ???
hello dear are you alive ???
Congrats!Congrats!Congrats!
This is to bring to your notice that your scam victim compensation matter with the United Nations Compensation Commission was brought to a successful conclusion last week. The payment is to be made through United Bank for Africa. You are to receive 4 million US dollars
For proper accountability, it was agreed that the United Bank for Africa should process the release of your fund and transfer to any of your nominated bank account or an on-line bank account can be set up for you.
We expect to hear from you soon.
Yours in service
Mr.Edward Adunga
Deputy Director, Foreign Remittance Dept.
United Bank For Africa
email.edwardremittance@gmail.com
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Anti-fraud resources:
